Massachusetts Secretary of State approves 4 ballot initiatives

Photo by John Suchocki / The RepublicanSpringfield Mayor Domenic J.Sarno, left, and Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin look at a map that shows where new trees.will be located in Court Square. They were at Court Square to announce the establishment of a mature tree replacement program in the wake of the June 1 tornadoes.

BOSTON (AP) — The state's top elections official has given the green light to four proposed questions for the November ballot in Massachusetts.

Secretary of State William Galvin announced Wednesday that he has informed the House Clerk all four initiative petitions have more than the 68,911 certified signatures of registered voters needed to proceed.

One measure would allow terminally ill people to self-administer life-ending drugs. Another would allow for medical use of marijuana.

The other initiatives would require automakers to share diagnostic information with independent repair shops and create a new teacher evaluation system.

The next step is up to the Legislature, which has until May 2 to vote on the petitions. Backers of proposals not approved by lawmakers must then gather about 11,000 additional signatures to put the measures on the ballot.